Saracens name team for London Double Header

November 27, 2015

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Saracens have named their team to face Worcester Warriors for Saturday’s Aviva Premiership London Double Header at Twickenham, kick-off 15h15.

Saracens legend Ernst Joubert will bring down the curtain on a superb career with the Men in Black, with the 35-year old loose forward named at No8 for his final game before hanging up his boots. Joubert will be joined by Kelly Brown and Will Fraser in the Saracens back row.

At lock, Alistair Hargreaves will captain the side and he will be joined by George Kruis. Up front, Rhys Gill starts at loosehead prop and he will line-up alongside Schalk Brits and Juan Figallo.

In the halves, Ben Spencer comes into the side for Richard Wigglesworth and will partner fly-half Charlie Hodgson.

Brad Barritt continues at centre, and will be partnered by Argentine Marcelo Bosch in the Sarries midfield.

In the back three, Ben Ransom rotates with Alex Goode and will join Chris Ashton and Chris Wyles.

On the bench, Jared Saunders, Richard Barrington and Titi Lamositele are named as front row replacements. With Jim Hamilton still side-lined with a knock, Maro Itoje is included in the 23-man squad with new-signing Samu Vunisa set to make his Saracens debut from the bench. The evergreen Neil de Kock and in-form Owen Farrell are Sarries halfback replacements, with Nick Tompkins also included.

Speaking ahead of the game, Director of Rugby Mark McCall said: "We've had some great encounters in the Double Header fixture over the years. Worcester Warriors have made a very good start to the Premiership season, and have picked up some impressive results against Northampton Saints and Newcastle Falcons.

"They also ran a very good Gloucester team extremely close as well, so we know that we are facing a very strong Warriors outfit this Saturday.”

On Ernst Joubert's final game for the club, McCall added: "Ernst has been a truly fantastic player during his six years at Saracens. He has played a huge role in helping us become a side that is challenging on the field and has been extremely important in establishing a brilliant culture off the field.

"What has been so impressive has appetite to continue to learn as a player, even in the autumn years of his career. He was a player who set the standards both on and off the pitch, and acted as brilliant mentor and role model for the young crop of forwards. He has had a willingness to front up day in day out and he hardly missed a training session in six years. Ernst has been the ultimate team man, and I'm sure all Saracens fans will give Ernie the send-off he so richly deserves this Saturday.”